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This historic family-owned estate is named after its founder Cesare Pio, who established the business in 1881. It is based in Alba in the heart of the Piemonte region, nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding hills provide a handful of ideal exposures for grape growing with unique micro-climates. The confluence of cold Alpine air with warm maritime moisture regularly creates a misty glow, or ‘nebbia’, over these foothills, hence Nebbiolo, the great red variety of the region. The grapes come from selected vineyards in the villages of Monforte and Castiglione Falletto and from grapes in our own vineyards in the villages of Serralunga and Treiso. The grapes undergo very careful selection to eliminate all imperfections - even one rotten or moldy grape could spoil the entire batch. The vintage takes place around mid-October, just a little before that of Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo and Barbaresco. This Barbera is a wine quite different from many other Barbera. This is due to the fact that the Barbera grapes are grown alongside the Nebbiolo grapes. This, combined with the extensive barrel ageing, results in a wine with the strength and wild energy of a Barbera, but the refined elegance of Barolo. This is a unique wine - full and brave, rich and aristocratic, yet soft and supple. The nose is full of dark cherry tones with tobacco and toasty hints. The palate is plummy with spicy ripe fruit and blackberry overtones.

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The Pio Cesare winery was founded in 1881 by our great great-grandfather Cesare Pio. He was one of the very first wine producers to believe in the great potential and quality of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and in the other great wines of Piemonte. Cesare Pio, in the second portion of 1800s, was among the very first winemakers to produce these wines with a philosophy that was dedicated to the te... Read more

The Pio Cesare winery was founded in 1881 by our great great-grandfather Cesare Pio. He was one of the very first wine producers to believe in the great potential and quality of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and in the other great wines of Piemonte. Cesare Pio, in the second portion of 1800s, was among the very first winemakers to produce these wines with a philosophy that was dedicated to the terroir and the strictest quality of the wine.
For five generations, the Pio Cesare family has been producing traditional Piemontese wines in its ancient cellars, located in the center of the town of Alba.. The cellars walls date back to the Roman Empire period , 50 B.C. Recently, significant investments have been made to rebuild and restructure the cellars and the winery's facilities.
A new fermentation cellar was built with a new racking by gravity area and a new barrel ageing room, 12 meters underneath the existing building and the Roman Walls. A brand new bottling and labelling equipment was installed in a newly built portion of the winery
Pio Cesare owns more than 50 hectares (130 acres) of vineyards, located in the most highly rated and better exposed areas. Within the Barolo region, the "Ornato" Estate and the "Colombaro" Vineyard ( in Serralunga d’Alba), the "Gustava" Estate ( in Grinzane Cavour), the "Roncaglie" (in La Morra) and "Ravera" (Barolo- Novello). Within the Barbaresco territory, the "Il Bricco" Estate and the "San Stefanetto" Vineyard in Treiso Other selected vineyards are located in the communes of Diano d’Alba, Sinio and Trezzo.
In addition to is own vineyards, Pio Cesare has fostered long-term relationships with growers for several generations and manages all aspects of viticulture in these vineyards. These growers have been selling grapes to the family for generations.
The wines are fermented and aged using both modern winemaking techniques in tandem with the most traditional methods of the region. After an appropriate ageing in large casks and barriques of different French oaks the wines are bottle-aged before their release.All these elements contribute to the continuously high quality of the wines of Pio Cesare, while paying tribute to the vines and to the terroir.
The production of the wines of Pio Cesare is intentionally limited in order to maintain their high quality. Year after year, the wines are ranked among the world's best and most highly regarded.
The winery's dedication to quality and respect for tradition and terroir, has allowed Pio Cesare to reach a prominent position among the wine producers of Piemonte. The wines are found in the top restaurants and hotels around the world and are known and respected by the finest wine lovers and collectors. Read less

Member Reviews for Pio Cesare Barbera Barbera d'Alba

Leather and cherry on the nose. Bright violets in the mouth with medium acidity. Licorice, coffee bay leaf and cigar wrapper later on the mid palate and a sour cherry finish. White chocolate notes linger.

This wine announces its modern intentions with polished opening notes of vanilla, caramel and coffee from aging in small French oak barrels. The intense palate shows cherry and boysenberry fruit which lead into a long, very complex finish. Will gain more complexity with a few years in the cellar but may be drunk now for the appeal of its youthful fruit.

This historic family-owned estate is named after its founder Cesare Pio, who established the business in 1881. It is based in Alba in the heart of the Piemonte region, nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding hills provide a handful of ideal exposures for grape growing with unique micro-climates. The confluence of cold Alpine air with warm maritime moisture regularly creates a misty glow, or ‘nebbia’, over these foothills, hence Nebbiolo, the great red variety of the region. The grapes come from selected vineyards in the villages of Monforte and Castiglione Falletto and from grapes in our own vineyards in the villages of Serralunga and Treiso. The grapes undergo very careful selection to eliminate all imperfections - even one rotten or moldy grape could spoil the entire batch. The vintage takes place around mid-October, just a little before that of Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo and Barbaresco. This Barbera is a wine quite different from many other Barbera. This is due to the fact that the Barbera grapes are grown alongside the Nebbiolo grapes. This, combined with the extensive barrel ageing, results in a wine with the strength and wild energy of a Barbera, but the refined elegance of Barolo. This is a unique wine - full and brave, rich and aristocratic, yet soft and supple. The nose is full of dark cherry tones with tobacco and toasty hints. The palate is plummy with spicy ripe fruit and blackberry overtones.